Category: Other
Sri Lanka’s Proposed Counterterrorism Law Risks More Abuses: Human Rights Watch
The Sri Lanka government’s proposed counterterrorism legislation includes numerous provisions similar to the current abusive law and risks facilitating the same kind of repression, Human Rights Watch said today. The bill does not meet benchmarks set out by the United Nations counterterrorism expert or comply with human rights obligations and commitments that Sri Lanka made […]
FAO Appeals for USD 16.5 Mn to Restore Livelihoods after Cyclone Ditwah Devastates SL’s Agrifood Sector
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Headquarters in Rome issued an appeal calling for international assistance of USD 16.5 million to support the early recovery of livelihoods and food security for farming, livestock-keeping and fishing communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka. Cyclone Ditwah represents one of the most severe climate shocks the country has […]
Thespian Jith Pieris (1947-2026)
January 8, 2026 (LBO) – Jith Pieris, among the most notable figures Sri Lanka’s theatre circuit, has passed away. Kumar de Sliva paints a colourful portrait of Pieris’s life and work on the blog linked below.
Nihal Seneviratne Sri Lanka Sec. General of Parliament (1934-2026)
January 8, 2026 (LBO) – Nihal (Galba) Seneviratne, former Sri Lanka Secretary General of Parliament, passed away on January 6th at the age of 91. With a career of over 30 years in parliament, he had a front row seat, observing and directing the legislature through different generations of politicians. His books, “Memories of 33 […]
Ray Jayawardhana Appointed Caltech’s Tenth President
January 8, 2026 (LBO) – Dr. Ray Jayawardhana, an accomplished academic leader and renowned astrophysicist who currently serves as provost of Johns Hopkins University, has been named Caltech’s next president, the tenth in the Institute’s 105-year history. Jayawardhana’s appointment by Caltech’s Board of Trustees, announced today at a community-wide gathering on the Institute’s Pasadena campus, […]
Preparation for Northern Investment Summit 2026 Gathers Momentum
The first ever Northern Investment Summit (NIS), a national milestone, is scheduled to take place in Jaffna on January 21 and 22, 2026 at the Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre. Organised by the Management Club (TMC), the two-day event themed ‘Empowering Growth, Driving Innovations’ will be a platform for promoting the northern province as an attractive destination […]
Ditwah causes widespread devastation to agriculture, fisheries & rural livelihoods in SL: FAO
Cyclone Storm Ditwah made landfall on 27 November 2025 and lingered over the country for nearly three days, bringing exceptionally heavy rainfall that triggered severe flooding and numerous landslides, resulting in widespread devastation nationwide. As of 16 December 2025, official reports confirm that more than 2.2 million people have been affected, representing about 10 percent […]
MAP: Flood Impacts on Agriculture Across Sri Lanka
New data from the Department of Agriculture, compiled with FAO support, highlights the scale of flood impacts on agriculture across Sri Lanka. The maps show flood-affected areas of paddy, vegetables, and other field crops, with the most significant damage concentrated in several major agricultural districts. These impacts threaten livelihoods, food production, and household food security, […]
City of Dreams Sri Lanka marks first christmas in Colombo
City of Dreams Sri Lanka is marking an important milestone this December as it celebrates its first Christmas in Colombo, closing out the year with a thoughtful and community-centred festive program. In a season where many Sri Lankans are seeking moments of connection, hope, and togetherness, City of Dreams Sri Lanka has curated experiences across […]
Small Investors For Polytunnel Agriculture in the Northern Province
By Jekhan Aruliah Nirojan comes from a family of farmers. Born in 1990, his parents farmed two acres of banana and chillies in Killinochchi. Like hundreds of thousands of others during the Sri Lankan Civil War they became IDPs (IDP, Internally Displaced Persons, refugees in their own country). Streams of people fleeing first from their […]
First-Ever Digital Signature Introduced for President’s Counsel Oath Ceremony
In a groundbreaking step toward digital transformation, the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka today introduced the Digital Signature for the President’s Counsel Oath Ceremony marking the first-ever use of this technology in the history of Sri Lanka’s Judiciary. Traditionally, this process was carried out manually, making 2025.11.20th achievement a historic milestone. This advancement reflects the […]
Launch of UPI One World for Sri Lankan Buddhist Pilgrims
The Sri Lanka High Commission in India, in partnership with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), today launched a pilot initiative introducing UPI One World for Sri Lankan Buddhist pilgrims visiting India. This pioneering digital payment facility enables Sri Lankan travellers to make secure, real-time payments across India without the requirement of an Indian […]